Congress backs choice of Kharge for LOP, says Rahul will revive party

June 5, 2014 10:35 am

Agencies, New Delhi
Defending Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi for not taking up the responsibility of Leader of the Party in Lok Sabha, the Congress today said Mr Gandhi may not head the party in Lok Sabha but he would lead the party from the front.

‘’Rahul not becoming the leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha should not be seen as his reluctance to lead the party. He will be tackling issues across India and revive the Congress.

Mr Gandhi will be putting his feet wherever and in whichever capacity the people of India need him,’’ AICC spokesperson Shashi Tharoor told reporters here.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi has named senior party leader and former Railways minister Mallikarjun Kharge as its leader in the Lok Sabha, setting off speculation that Mr Gandhi was unwilling to lead the party.

‘’Congress party is not only limited to 44 MPs in the Lok Sabha. It is in the home, streets and villages of the country. Wherever there is a need for political action, you will see us there. And if someone like Rahul Gandhi, who has not taken up the leadership in Lok Sabha, were to be asked where he would rather see his presence, I think his answer was apparent — in Badaun,’ Mr Tharoor said. Mr Tharoor said Mr Gandhi will lead the party from the front across the country.

‘’In the coming days, you will see Mr Gandhi tackling a whole range of issues across the nation. You will also see him in Parliament raising several issues,’’ the Congress leader said.